Joe Kaeser

Siemens faced intense criticism from climate campaigners over a railway signalling contract linked to Adani's Carmichael coal mine project in Australia. Despite public appeals, notably from Greta Thunberg and Luisa Neubauer, Kaeser decided to honour the contract.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Direct responsibility

Kaeser strongly defended the merger of Siemens' and Alstom's rail operations to create a European champion capable, in his view, of competing with China. In February 2019, the European Commission blocked the transaction, considering the proposed remedies insufficient to address competition risks in signalling and very high-speed trains.

State of the evidence

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Direct responsibility

In November 2017, Siemens announced approximately 6 900 job cuts in its energy operations, nearly half of them in Germany, together with site closures and major reductions. IG Metall condemned a breach of trust and emphasised that the group remained highly profitable.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Direct responsibility

Kaeser welcomed the US corporate tax reform promoted by Donald Trump and discussed new technology investments in the United States. The statement drew strong criticism in Germany because Siemens had just announced thousands of job cuts in its turbine operations.

State of the evidence

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Personally implicated

Following Alice Weidel's statements about girls wearing headscarves and integration policies, Kaeser accused her of harming Germany's image. He subsequently posted a formulation stating that he preferred a girl wearing a headscarf to the historical reference to the Bund Deutscher Mädel, triggering a heated political exchange.

State of the evidence

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Personally implicated

Following the disappearance and subsequent death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Kaeser initially hesitated to cancel his participation in Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative, unlike several other major executives. Amid growing public pressure, he eventually withdrew and called for the full truth to be established.

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Siemens gas turbines sold for a project in mainland Russia were subsequently transferred to Crimea, contrary to contractual restrictions and against a backdrop of European sanctions. Siemens stated that it had been deceived, opened an investigation, sued its Russian partners and suspended certain deliveries.

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

As part of Vision 2020, Kaeser simplified Siemens' organisation and launched a major savings programme. In 2015, approximately 7 800 positions were to be cut worldwide, including some 3 300 in Germany, ahead of further announced adjustments. Unions condemned the job cuts despite the group's strong financial position.

State of the evidence

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Direct responsibility

In March 2014, shortly after Russia's annexation of Crimea, Joe Kaeser met Vladimir Putin in Moscow and reaffirmed Siemens' long-term commitment to Russia. The visit, while Germany and the European Union were preparing sanctions, drew strong political criticism.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Directly implicated